Card Brand

What is Card Brand?

A card brand is a company that sets the rules and provides the infrastructure for credit and debit card transactions. Common examples include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

These brands do not typically issue cards directly to consumers; instead, they license their brand and network to banks. They act as the central authority that connects issuers, acquirers, and merchants globally.

Why It Matters

• Establishes the technical standards for secure global payments

• Defines the rules for dispute resolution and chargebacks

• Determines the interchange fees that merchants must pay for transactions

• Provides consumer protection and fraud prevention technologies